asked the Minister for Justice the number of arrests made in (a) Dublin city and (b) areas outside Dublin city for illegal possession of drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1934 and under regulations made under the Health Act, 1970, and for each calendar month over the past five years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Abuse.
22.
The available figures are on a yearly, not a monthly, basis. They relate to the offence of unauthorised possession of drugs and related offences, such as the unlawful sale or distribution of drugs. The figures for Dublin relate to the Dublin Metropolitan area.
The figures are set out in a statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
|
Year |
Persons arrested |
|
|
Dublin Metropolitan Area |
Rest of country |
|
|
1967 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
1968 |
9 |
1 |
|
1969 |
41 |
2 |
|
1970 |
59 |
9 |
|
1971 |
88 |
27 |
|
1972 to 7th March |
21 |
Not available |
Could I ask the Minister if, from the figures he has there, there is any indication that arrests are on the decrease or whether they are continuing to increase?
The arrests are increasing very substantially.